A valuable historical account of American classical music icon Aaron Copland conducting some of his best known compositions.
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 [Lucerne Festival Orchestra/Chailly] (TheaterByte Blu-ray Review)
Mahler’s colossal orchestral and choral classical music piece gets a towering performance on Blu-ray Disc from Lucerne Festival and Riccardo Chailly.
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies [Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos/Danish National Symphony Orchestra] (TheaterByte Blu-ray Review)
A splendid send off for the veteran Frühbeck de Burgos in this box set of Beethoven’s symphonies and then some.
Beethoven: Symphony No.9 [Thielemann/Wiener Philharmoniker] (TheaterByte Blu-ray Review)
A bargain priced warhorse with a musical performance as good as it gets.
Gesualdo: Death for Five Voices (TheaterByte Blu-ray Review)
Werner Herzog’s compelling 1995 documentary on enigmatic Renaissance composer Carlo Gesualdo, ‘Death for Five Voices,’ is out on Blu-ray from Arthaus Musik.
Mahler: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 [Paavo Järvi/Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra] Blu-ray Review
This set of two of Mahler’s most popular symphonies features some excellent vocalism and strong musical leadership from conductor Paavo Järvi.
Haydn: Die Jahreszeiten/The Seasons [Harnoncourt/Wiener Philharmoniker] Blu-ray Review
Haydn’s Die Jahreszeiten receives a stellar performance from ancient music expert Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Verdi: Messa da Requiem [Barenboim/Teatro alla Scala] Blu-ray Review
A towering performance of Verdi’s chorale masterpiece, the only flaw is the “halo” that enfolds maestro Barenboim on occasion and some motion artifact.
Verdi: Messa da Requiem [Dudamel/Teatro Alla Scala] Blu-ray Review
The downscaling by maestro Dudamel and the histrionics of tenor Grigolo may not appeal to all viewers of this Verdi’s Requiem
Mozart: Requiem [Abbado/Lucerne Festival] Blu-ray Review
Lucerne and maestro Abbado offer a moving and well-performed rendition of Mozart’s last work in this Blu-ray from Accentus
